the French alliance, on the other hand, said, that the
very reasons which were urged in favor of a league with England, the
vicinity of the kingdom and its superior force, were the real causes
why a sincere and durable confederacy could never be formed with that
hostile nation: that among neighboring states occasions of quarrel were
frequent, and the more powerful would be sure to seize every frivolous
pretence for oppressing the weaker, and reducing it to subjection: that
as the near neighborhood of France and England had kindled a war almost
perpetual between them, it was the interest of the Scots, if they wished
to maintain their independence, to preserve their league with the former
kingdom, which balanced the force of the latter: that if they deserted
that old and salutary alliance on which their importance in Europe
chiefly depended, their ancient enemies, stimulated both by interest and
by passion, would soon invade them with superior force, and bereave them
of all their liberties: or if they delayed the attack, the insidious
peace, by making the Scots forget the use of arms, would only prepare
the way for a slavery more certain and more irretrievable.[*]

* Buchanan, lib. xiv.

The arguments employed by the French party, being seconded by the
natural prejudices of the people, seemed most prevalent: and when the
regent himself, who had been long detained beyond his appointed time by
the danger from the English fleet, at last appeared among them, he was
able to throw the balance entirely on that side. By authority of the
convention of states, he assembled an army, with a view of avenging the
ravages committed by the English in the beginning of the campaign; and
he led them southwards towards the borders. But when they were passing
the Tweed at the bridge of Melross, the English party raised again such
opposition, that Albany thought proper to make a retreat. He marched
downwards, along the banks of the Tweed, keeping that river on his
right; and fixed his camp opposite to Werkcastle, which Surrey had
lately repaired. He sent over some troops to besiege this fortress, who
made a breach in it, and stormed some of the outworks: but the regent,
hearing of the approach of an English army, and discouraged by the
advanced season, thought proper to disband his forces and retire to
Edinburgh. Soon after, he went over to France, and never again returned
to Scotland. The Scottish nation, agitated by their domestic facti